Android 5.0 Nexus Devices: Good for Google, Bad for Customers

We were telling you about Android fragmentation problems and how annoying they can get and, apparently the tech behemoth has somewhat revised the complaints. New information has surfaced, according to which, Google plans to launch the next version of Android OS to five different Nexus-branded smartphones.

Android 5 Nexus Devices: Google’s Reconciliation Tactic

The devices will be made available to the public via the Google Play online store in a shaky attempt to uniform the offer. Fragmentation of Android software has led to huge disadvantages in the app sector because most of the devices present in circulation actually do not run the latest android version making it impossible for apps to work properly.

“Google will work with as many as five manufacturers at a time to create a portfolio of Nexus lead devices that include smartphones and tablets.”

At the moment, 54% of Android devices are running version 2.3 (Gingerbread) while the latest version Android 4 or better known as Ice Cream Sandwich is found on a meager 5% of all existing devices, despite being launched with the flashy Samsung Galaxy Nexus back in November.

But, is fragmentation the only reason behind Google’s strategy? Maybe the fact that the Nexus series is expected to come packed with “pure and clean” Android OS without added tweaks added to the salad, might appeal to some die-hard Android fans. But, maybe I don’t want Nexus smartphones! Isn’t this a shady strategy to increase sales for Google’s own devices?

Buy Nexus if You Want the Latest Android Version

So what does Google have to win with this implementation? As you might be aware, Google has acquired Motorla Mobility for the price of $12.5 billion and it has been given the green light in the US as well as in the European Union and China. But won’t Google be accused now of favoritism? Not if it goes ahead with the above mentioned plan.

Producing Nexus flagship phones for each company in part and sprinkling on top the latest and juiciest version of Android would of course please all manufactures and persuade them to coexist in a state of perpetual heaven.

Users will probably benefit too from having the “pure” Android smartphones delivered at their doorstep. The diversity would probably be appealing and we should not forget the fact that since its launch the Nexus phones have been offered the appreciation of the connoisseurs… Nevertheless the sales don’t actually reflect that, for some reason.

“The market proved Google wrong at that point. Consumers in the U.S. are used to subsidies on phones. They’re not used to paying $600 for an iPhone, or $500 for a Galaxy S III. They want to walk into a store and pay $100 or $200 for a new phone, and they want it to be a high-end phone. But there are a limited number of consumers who are willing to spend the extra money for an unlocked phone.”

said Charles Golvin of the Forrester.

Android Update Cycle – Similar to iOS?

I personally think that these mobile operating systems are being released far too quick on the market and releasing Android 5.0 will create further confusion. Obviously, this move is meant to shift attention towards Google branded devices and you can’t help wondering – couldn’t the same thing happen with Motorola-Google devices? On the other hand, releasing 5 different Nexus devices with all major manufacturers would make peace with all of them.

“With Google buying Motorola, working with all of the leading hardware partners to develop a Nexus line of what’s on the leading edge makes more sense. If they get everyone involved in developing, nobody will be able to point and say Motorola is getting something they’re not.”

the same Golvin further commented. After all, I don’t think it is possible to close Android to everybody else besides Google’s Motorola. Instead, maintaing the same strategy of pushing with every major Android update a fresh new Nexus line could become profitable for Google. Somehow, it’s similar to Apple’s strategy, albeit on a much smaller scale.